León, Mexico | On November 18, 2016 (4.30 PM local time), passed away Gabriel Olivares Frías, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General and active member of the Supreme Council of Mexico. Brother Gabriel was provincial delegate for Guanajuato. His death left bereaved his family, friends and the Mexican Masonic community.

Bucharest, Romania | Nicolae Licareţ (born on September 24, 1943 in Bucharest), Artistic Director of the George Enescu Philharmonic, died today at Floreasca Hospital (around 2.30 PM). For nearly half a century, Licareţ was one of living spirits of the Romanian Athenaeum.

He became a member of the Bucharest Philharmonic in 1968, and on January 1, 1991 he was appointed Artistic Director. For his artistic labour, Licareţ received awards from the Romanian state, French and Italian states. Nicolae Licaret was a Freemason, Sovereign Grand Inspector General and member of Rotary.

Almaty, Kazakhstan | Today took place the installation ceremony of the Grand Lodge of Kazakhstan, in the presence of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Russia, under the leadership of Grand Master Berik Z. The ceremony was held in Almaty (Alma-Ata), the largest metropolis in the country and the main economic pillar, former capital of Kazakhstan between 1929 and 1998.

The Grand Lodge of Kazakhstan consists of four Lodges. The first Masonic Lodge in the history of this country was founded on September 19, 2015 in Almaty, with the help of the Grand Lodge of Russia, the event being attended by Freemasons frm Russia, Georgia and Belarus.

On November 8, 2016 took place an extraordinary session of the Council (Consilium) of the Masonic Agency, chaired by the President of the Council (Praesidens Consilium). The Council was convened by the President after repeated requests for public intervention against the anti-Masonic actions of the Government and Parliament in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Council of the Masonic Agency decided to invoke Art. 2 of the Constitution to intervene publicly in favor of the Bulgarian national Masonic community, considering the actions of the two institutions as unjust actions against Freemasonry. Unfortunately, given the political conditions, no leader of Freemasonry in Bulgaria had until now any official position regarding these actions, even if their role is to defend the Order.

The Council of the Masonic Agency decided to inform the Masonic international community, in the next period, and to provide insight into the real situation in Bulgaria. The Masonic Agency will present anti-Masonic statements of MPs, some ministers and former ministers of Bulgaria and a number of laws that oblige members of the Bulgarian Freemasonry to declare their membership.

Tbilisi, Georgia | On October 22, 2016 was held the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. On this occasion took place the installation ceremony of the new Grand Master in the person of Irakli M. and Grand Officers for a term of three years. Within the framework of the Annual Communication, the Grand Lodge adopted a new code of ethics, as well as amendments to the Constitution. It also established new objectives and policies. The event was held in Tbilisi, informs Grand Secretary Lasha G.

Vienna, Austria | The seizures during the Nazi era affected Freemasonry both in terms of heritage and symbolic. Thus, after almost a century, the Grand Lodge of Austria came into possession of a collection of books confiscated by the regime of Adolf Hitler. The books that have been until recently at the Bavarian State Library were handed over to the Grand Master of Austria, Georg Semler. The SS confiscated the collection of books due to the policy of discrediting and terrorizing of Freemasonry by the Nazis.

Today, 27 October 2016, the President of the Council (Praesidens Consilium) of the Masonic Agency issued the Decree 15/2016/6016 adopting the STRATEGY FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS. The proposal belongs to the Secretariat of Communications Technology and Information (SeCTI) and will underpin the involvement of the Masonic Agency in the cultural sector.

The strategy recommends a number of actions that the Masonic Agency must implement. Also, this strategy recommends a series of steps to be followed when the Agency will be involved in supporting or promoting a cultural event. One of the key recommendations is to create a cultural publication.

Taipei, Taiwan | On October 22, 2016 took place the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of China. The event took place at Sunworld Dynasty Hotel in Taipei in the presence of foreign delegations, among which the French National Grand Lodge, Grand Lodge of Russia, Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Grand Lodge of India etc.

This was the 63th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of China. On October 22, 2016 was held the conference of the Asia-Pacific Masonic Confederation, event organized by the Grand Lodge of China at its headquarters in Taipei.

Tbilisi, Georgia | On 22nd and 23rd October 2016 will take place the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, one of the youngest Grand Lodges in the world. According to the official communication received from the Deputy Grand Secretary, there will be elections for the office of Grand Master, it will be elected a new Grand Council and the will make amendments to the Constitution and the General Regulations. It will also be adopted a new Code of Conduct (Code of Ethics). After the reception given by the new Grand Master, foreign delegations will visit Kakheti region.

Montevideo, Uruguay | Last week passed away the first Grand Master of Feminine Freemasonry in Uruguay, Alicia Margarita TOYOS YANEZ. She was the one who founded, along with other members of the Craft the first Feminine Grand Lodge in history of this country, with the support of the Feminine Grand Lodge of Chile. Her death left the family in grief, as well the Masonic community in Uruguay and in Latin America.

In her memory, the Masonic Agency decreed on 14, 15 and 16 October 2016 days of mourning. Alicia TOYOS was the only woman who held the title of Honorary Member of the Masonic Agency and was an ally of the principles promoted by the Masonic Agency. At the beginning of the ordinary session of the Council today it was held a moment of silence, and the President stated: God also needs good people!

Nicosia, Cyprus | This year, on 29 October 2016 the Grand Lodge of Cyprus will celebrate a decade of existence. Cypriot ties with Freemasonry dates back more than two centuries. The first documents are found Larnaca, the main port on the island at the time. The first Masonic Lodge in Cyprus was founded in the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England. Cypriot Lodges are currently working in Greek, English, German and Italian. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cyprus is Most Worshipful Petros S. Machalepis. The Masonic Ceremony will take place at Famagusta Gate, built in 1567 by the Venetians. The event will be attended by guests from Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Serbia and Slovenia.

Montevideo, Uruguay. From 12 to 14 October 2016 takes place the Annual Meeting of the 6th Zone of the IMC (Interamerican Masonic Confederation). The meeting will be presided by Edgar Sánchez Caballero (Grand Master of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay) and takes place in Montevideo (organized by the Grand Lodge of Uruguay). IMC's 6th Zone consists of: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay.

Bucharest, Romania. From 4th to 6th November 2016 will take place the 5th edition of the International Salon of Masonic Arts and Culture, an annual event of the Romanian Grand Feminine Order (Women Freemasons) in Romania. The Grand Master of the Order, Graziela Barla, along with Romanian ladies Freemasons manage to bring together every year profanes and Masonic organizations from the country and abroad to provide a different perspective on Freemasonry in the 21st century.

This initiative of Romanian Grand Feminine Order (Women Freemasons) to promote art and culture is held annually in the capital of the country (Bucharest) and gives to the society the opportunity to meet closely certain activities of Freemasonry. The International Salon invites you to participate in public lectures, book launches, art exhibitions etc.The entrance is free.

London, United Kingdom. At the last Quarterly Communication the United Grand Lodge of England recognized the Grand Lodge of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), member of CMSB. The organization was founded in 1928. UGLE's Board proposed recognition of the Grand Lodge, and the decision was adopted. Paulo Roberto Flores Pithan is the Grand Master.

Santiago, Chile. The Grand Lodge of Chile organized a conference last month having as special guest the former President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera. The event took place on September 5 at the Temple of the Grand Lodge. The conference was moderated by Cecelia Perez, former Minister General Secretary of Government. The event was attended by Grand Lodge members, former ministers, President of the Supreme Court, Grand Master Luis Riveros etc.

Sebastián Piñera began his speech by saying: Hello! I would like to salute my colleague Professor Mr. Luis Riveros. I was professor at the University of Chile before you! But you have been Vice-Chancellor. I still do not give up this aspiration, just as you still do not give up yours of being President of Chile.

The Grand Master intervened and emphasized the importance of the middle class and said that there should be a dialogue to build ideas. Former President Piñera said that the society must achieve three main principles: liberty, equality (equity) and progress.

Freedom... what is it? It means that each person to be as possible as he/she can their own Great Architect of his/her life. To feel that he/she is the ruler of his/her life and not just a Mason who puts a stone upon another; and no another one to be the architect who sketched his/her life project, stated Sebastián Piñera.

Lexington, United States. The election of David A. Glattly in the office of Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Jurisdiction will take place during the Annual Communication of Rochester in 2017. The announcement was made by the current Sovereign Grand Commander, John William McNaughton, who will retire in August 2017.

Glattly is a member of the Craft of over 40 years, he was raised a Master Mason in Clifton Lodge #203 in 1975 and was Worshipful Master in 1995. Also in 1998 he was Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.

Glattly became an honorary member of the Supreme Council in 2000 in Pittsburgh and an active member in 2002 in Boston. He is a member of several Masonic organizations.

Rome, Italy. This year's meeting of the Confederation of European Supreme Councils should have taken place in Bucharest, but because of the crisis experienced by the Supreme Council of Romania and dismissal of Sovereign Grand Commander Constantin Iancu, the event took place in Italy.

Lisbon, Portugal. On September 24, 2016 the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal celebrated its 25th anniversary. Friday night took place a special dinner and on Saturday was held the Anniversary Annual Communication and the Installation Ceremony for another mandate for Grand Master Julio Meirinhos. The historical event of Portuguese Freemasonry was attended by the Grand Lodges of France (represented by Grand Master Jean Pierre Servel), Brazil, Paraguay, New York (United States), Bulgaria (represented by Grand Master Ivan Sariev) etc, totaling a 35 foreign delegations.

The event took place in the Convento do Beato de Lisboa. A highlight of the ceremonies was the installation of 78 Worshipful Masters at the same time, something unusual in European Freemasonry. The ceremonies held Saturday were attended by about 1,000 guests.

New York, United States. The Grand Lodge of New York recognized this year the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. Paul M. Rosen (Grand Secretary - New York) sent to his counterpart from Paraguay, Iván Lampert Soler (Grand Secretary) the mesage of Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson to the Grand Master of Paraguay (Edgar Sánchez Caballero).

The letter says that in the context of the 235th Annual Communication, the Grand Lodge of New York recognized the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay. This is the 31st recognition of Paraguayan Freemasonry obtained in the United States.

Valencia, Spain. The Annual Feast of the Order in Spain (which occurred in the first semester of the year) gathered over 300 guests and it had as special guest the Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of the Kingdom of Morocco, Yassine Nouini.

Yassine Nouini stated the following: "Relations between the Grand Lodge of Spain and the Regular Grand Lodge of the Kingdom ofMorocco should be increasingly stronger given the geographical and historical reasons that unite us." The Masonic event was covered by state television in Spain.

Panama City, Panama. On April 16, 2016 ceremonies were held to celebrate a century since the founding of the Grand Lodge of Panama. The ceremony presided by Grand Master Carlo Rognon was attended by several Grand Lodges, including: Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, Grand Orient of Brazil, Grand Lodge of Cuba etc.

It was also attended by the Executive Secretary (Rudy Barbosa) and President (Óscar Alfonso, Grand Master of Spain) f the Inter-American Masonic Confederation and Thomas W. Jackson.

The Grand Lodge of Panama is the sole regular Grand Lodge in the country and in 2018 will host the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges.

Lima, Peru. On March 26, 2016 took place the Installation Ceremony of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Peru. Edgar Bazán Naveda was installed as Grand Master of Peru, replacing Galo Moncada Mau. The new Deputy Grand Master is Tulio Manrique Trelles.

Edgar Bazán Naveda will hold the position of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Peru for two years (2016-2018).

The event was attended by several Grand Masters in South America, by the Executive Secretary (Rudy Barbosa Levy) of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation and by Grand Master of France (Jean Pierre Servel - GLNF).

London, United Kingdom. On February 29, 2016, the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons announced the installation in the office of Worshipful Master of Gothic Lodge #27 of the first women of Romanian origin (in the United Kingdom) in the organization's history. The Installation cremony took place on February 22, 2016. The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons is one of the two Feminine Grand Lodges in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons also has a Lodge based in Bucharest, Romania.

The organization was founded in 1913 (being the second Feminine Grand Lodge in the World) and was led for 20 years by the Grand Master Elizabeth Boswell-Reid. The first three Lodges were: Stability, Wisdom (changing its name in Fidelity) and Strength.

Lisbon, Portugal. From 13 to 17 May 2015 took plce the World Conference of Supreme Councils. The event was hosted by the Supreme Council for Portugal, led by overeign Grand Commander Agostinho Garcia, 33º (President of the World Conference). he conference was attended by the Supreme Councils of Southern and Northern Jurisdictions of the United States, England, France, Peru, Italy, Israel, Spain, Greece, India, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Paraguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Scotland, Turkey Switzerland, Canada, Serbia, the Netherlands, Panama, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Bolivia, Finland, Luxembourg, Australia, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Russia, Togo, Croatia, Armenia, Haiti and Latvia.

In accordance with decisions taken at Lisbon, the next World Conference will be organized by the Supreme Council of Paraguay. The XXI World Conference of Supreme Councils will be held in Bucharest (Romania) and organized by the Supreme Council of Romania.

Montevideo, Uruguay. At the end of the last year, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Uruguay was reelected. For Noé Dos Santos and his deputy, José Garchitorena, this is the second term at the helm of Freemasonry in Uruguay.

The banker Noé Dos Santos was born in 1938 and was elected twice as President of Rotary. He was initiated into Freemasonry in 1991. From 2013 he occupies the office of Grand Master. In July 2016, the Grand Lodge of Uruguay celebrated its 160 anniversary.

Berlin, Germany. Christoph Bosbach is the new leader of German Freemasonry. He was installed in office last year after Rüdiger Templin has completed his two terms in office. The event took place on November 1, 2015 in the presence of 47 foreign delegations: England, Albania, Paraguay, Romania etc.

Born in Cologne, Bosbach was Deputy Grand Master and he is a lawyer. He also he worked in IT. Since 1991 is a member of the Lodge Freimut und Wahrheit in Cologne.

The United Grand Lodges of Germany have over 15300 Freemasons grouped in 485 Masonic Lodges. The organization is one of the largest in Europe alongside the United Grand Lodge of England, Grand Orient of Italy etc.

At the beginning of this year took place the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. According to the tradition of this event, the annual report on regularity and recognition was issued. In this year's report there are references to the Grand Lodge of Georgia and the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria. There is also additional information on the Regular Freemasonry in Quintana Roo (Mexico) and Paraguay.

Georgia | On March 14, 2015 took place the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Georgia with the help of the Grand Lodge of Russia. The Grand Lodge of Georgia asked the Commission for Recognition to analyze its regularity, but on February 22, 2016 the Grand Master of Russia asked the Commission that the matter be tabled until the meeting of 2017 and his petition was accepted.

Bulgaria | On June 20, 2015 took place the ratification process of the unification of Freemasonry in Bulgaria. The United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria is the sole regular Grand Lodge. The Masonic Agencyannounced that the unification ceremony held in Sofia (Hotel Marinella, 11.00 o'clock) was attended by Grand Masters and delegations from Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland and the United States of America.

Tel Aviv, Israel. On 10 November 2015 a delegation of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel was received by His Excellency President Reuven Rivlin. The delegation of the Grand Lodge was headed by Grand Master Avi Baranès. The delegation also included, among others: Past Grand Masters Nadim Mansour, Sami Raphael, Itzhak Zino, Ephraim Fuchs, Deputy Grand Master Suleiman Salem etc.

The President of Israel received from the Grand Master the medal of the Grand Lodge in recognition for his actions made in favor of Israeli citizens without distinction of race and religion.

Grand Master Avi Baranès is in his second term, leading the sole regular Grand Lodge of Israel. President Reuven Rivlin is the leader of the Israeli state since 2014 and is a supporter of minority rights.

San Francisco, United States. From 18 to 21 November 2015 took place the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges, organized by the Grand Lodge of California. The opening ceremony took place Thursday at 8:30 in the presence of the President, Executive Secretary Radu Balanescu (Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania). Also, the occupying the presidium were Thomas Jackson and Ronald Seale (Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States). The conference was opened jointly by the Grand Lodge of California, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California and the Grand Lodge of Iran (in exile in the United States).

The event took place at the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco. The conference was attended by over 1000 Freemasons representing over Grand Lodges. The next World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges will take place in Antananarivo, Madagascar (Africa) in 2017 and that of 2018 will be organized by the Grand Lodge of Panama.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On 5 August 2016 took place the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, organized for the first time in South America (Brazil). The history of Modern Olympics is closely linked to Pierre de Fredy, Baron of Coubertin: Freemason, French pedagogue and historian, founder of the International Olympic Committee and founder of the modern Olympic Games.

The number of Freemasons to be present in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympic Games varies between 16,500 and 18,200. Brazil has one of the largest Masonic communities in the world, and the largest in Latin America. Some statistics show that in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games were involved (at all levels of activity) over 3,700 Freemasons, and during the course of the game their number exceeds 1,200.

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was marked by symbolism: Rio de Janeiro was the capital of the Brazilian Freemasonry until 1960, here were initiated in Freemasonry some of the greatest personalities of Brazilian colonial, imperial and republican society . Also, the opening ceremony has drawn attention to global warming and the plant chosen was a small acacia shrub, one of the important symbols of Blue Freemasonry. In terms of symbolism, the Olympics in Brazil were much poorer than the one that took place in London in 2012.

On 1 August 2016 took place the election and installation of the new leadership of the Masonic Agency, which is, since today, led by the President of the Council. The Agency will begin publishing news and information in August. It will also realize some interviews this year.

Also starting with 1 August 2016 the Agency has resumed its Masonic internal and international activities. All official communications shall be made through the Secretariat of Communications Technology and Information (secti.contact@gmail.com). The old email address is no longer functional.

From now on all posts, information, news, interviews etc will be accompanied by the following official hashtag: #FM24h. The presence of this element on the official portals and official social networks (Facebook & Twitter) represents an identification system. Using this hashtag outside the mentiones portals and social networks does not represent a guarantee of the origin of the source (Masonic Agency).

This week, the Secretary-General ad interim will start the necessary procedures for ending the interim management of the Agency and to leave the office.

The procedure requires amending the Constitution and the Statute of the Advisory Body. Also, by installing a new leadership at the helm of the Masonic Agency, the attributes of the General Secretariat will be taken over temporarily by the Secretariat of Communications Technology and Information (SeCTI). Among those running for the leadership of the Council will be the coordinator of the Chancellery for Foreign Affairs, currently Secretary General ad interim and President ex officio of the Council.

Since the beginning of the Agency till 30 August 2010, the Agency was headed by its Founder. Subsequently, from 30 August 2010 to 2015, the Agency was headed by a Secretary General who served ex officio as President of the Council. Starting with this year, the office of President of the Council will an elective one, and a part of the duties of the Secretary-General will go to the office of President who will lead an executive Council and not a consultative one, as it was during 2010 - 2016, according to the Constitution.

Today, 30 June 6016, took place the last session of the Council in order to prepare the relaunch of the Masonic Agency. According to those discussed it was settled the following: changing the management and decision structure and contact information.

In terms of image the Agency has decided to change the communication system, using an unique hashtag (# FM24h) for all social networks and adopting a new logo. It was also proposed to close the Lusophone department.

Regarding the administrative level it was decided to revise the Constitution, Statutes of the Advisory Body and Decrees (cancelling them if applicable). It was also decided to introduce the strategy of intervention.

The Council will meet monthly on 21. The official holidays of the Agency are: 5 February and 30 August. The Masonic Agency has resumed its activity today, 30 June 6016.

Today, 10 March 2016, at 10:30 AM, the members of the Council of the Agency met in informal session under the leadership of the Secretary-General ad interim. The members of the Council agreed with the proposal of the interim leadership to make changes in the editorial policy and make adjustments in the foreign affairs policy.

The Council will meet in an ordinary session on March 21, 2016 to vote on changes and to officially approve the amendment of the Constitution of the Agency. Also, as of March 21, 2016, the Masonic Agency will resume its internal activity.

The Council of the AGENCY will meet in an informal session on March 10, 2016/6016 at the behest of the coordinator of the Chancellery for Foreign Affairs (in his capacity as Secretary General ad interim). The Secretary General ad interim called for this meeting under the invocation of Art. 1 of the Constitution. It is for the first time since the founding of the Agency that the First Article was invoked. The Founder of the Agency was also informed The Founder of the Agency is also convened. The coordinator of the Secretariat for Communications Technology and Information (SeCTI) was tasked with notifying all members of the Council and the Founder. The Secretary General ad interim shall consult on March 9 with all external collaborators.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION 2.0

NEWSLETTER

IN MEMORIAM Alicia TOYOS

EXCLUSIVE | Interview with the first (woman) Grand Master in the history of the Republic of Uruguay, Alicia TOYOS | This interview has an exclusive character, being part of the Exclusive Collection of Interviews of the Masonic Agency. The republication (total and/or partial publication) of this interview is strictly prohibited.